Produce coating machine having viscous liquid dispensing means

ABSTRACT

A machine is disclosed for coating agricultural produce with liquid. The machine comprises a frame, an applicator mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis, applicator drive means for rotating the applicator, and produce guide means for guiding produce into contact with the applicator. A reservoir is mounted to the frame and adapted to be filled to a preselected level with liquid. The reservoir includes a wall rising above the preselected level from beneath the preselected level and defining at least one port elevated above the preselected level and the applicator. Sweeping means are mounted for movement within the reservoir. Sweep drive means are provided for moving the sweeper means over the wall from beneath the preselected level above the preselected level adjacent the port. Liquid guide means are also provided for guiding liquid passing through the port onto the applicator.

United States Patent 1191 Leverett 1 Nov. 18 1975 [75] Inventor: WilliamH. Leverett, Greenville, Ga.

[73] Assignee: Durand-Wayland, Inc., LaGrange,

22 Filed: Apr. 8, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 458,533

[52] US. Cl. 118/13; 118/DIG. 6; 222/406;

222/410 [51] Int. Cl. B05C l/02 [58] Field of Search ll8/DIG. 6, DIG.16, 13,

Primary Examiner-John P. Mclntosh Attorney, Agent, 01- Firm-Newton,Hopkins & Ormsby ABSIRACT A machine is disclosed for coatingagricultural produce with liquid. The machine comprises a frame, anapplicator mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis, applicatordrive means for rotating the applicator, and produce guide means forguiding produce into contact with the applicator. A reservoir is mountedto the frame and adapted to be filled to a preselected level withliquid. The reservoir includes a wall rising above the preselected levelfrom beneath the preselected level and defining at least one portelevated above the preselected level and the applicator. Sweeping meansare mounted for movement within the res- [56] References Cited ervoir.Sweep drive means are provided for moving UNITED STATES PATENTS thesweeper means over the wall from beneath the preselected level above thepreselected level adjacent 51,891 1/1966 Campbell 118/DIG. 16 the port.Liquid guide means are also provided for 2,578,427 12/1951 Hussey 6113.1... l Iii/D161 6 passing through the port nto the 2,700,953 2/1955Howe etal 1 ll8/DlG. 6 Gator. 3,562808 2/1971 Whitley, Jr. 222/406 XKalmar 6 3 Drawing Figures 1111 M 1 v \\\\\\1\\\llll// 4 /5 FIG/1 US.Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet20f2 PRODUCE COATING MACHINE HAVING VISCOUSLIQUID DISPENSING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates generally to coating machines, and more particularly toagricultural produce coating machines of the type which employ viscousliquid dispensing means.

Produce coating machines have heretofore employed means for dispensingviscous liquids such as waxes onto brush-type applicators which in turnapply the wax to produce brought into brushing engagement therewith.These dispensers have included relatively small nozzles the size ofwhich, in combination with the pressure of the wax, has established therelatively low rates at which the wax is dispensed.

Though the just described viscous liquid dispensers have worked well inapplying liquids consisting essentially of homogeneoussolutions ofwaxes, they have failed to operate satisfactorily when certain otherliquids and particles have been added to the wax to be appliedsimultaneously therewith. For example, various fungicides have recentlybeen added to the wax solutions which have tended to clog thesmall-nozzles which have, as previously stated, been quite small inorder to limit the rate of waxapplication. In addition, where the rateat which produce is being processed through the coating machines havebeen small, and likewise the rates at which the wax and fungicidemixtures have been fed through the nozzle of the dispenser have beensmall, the fungicides have tended to settle before passing through thenozzles and onto the produce.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providean improved produce coating machine.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to providean improved agricultural produce coating machine of the type havingviscous liquid dispensing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an agricultural producecoating machine with improved means for dispensing viscous liquids atrelatively low rates.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for dispensingviscous liquids-at low rates which device does not tend to clog norrequire frequent cleansing operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an agricultural producecoating machine which employs a dispenser for dispensing mixtures of waxand fungicide, and which includes means for continuously stirring themixtures to inhibit settling of the fungicide from the wax.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device fordispensing viscous liquids at low rates of relafively simple andeconomic construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form of the invention a machine isprovided for coating agircultural produce with liquid and comprising aframe and an applicator mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis.Applicator drive means are provided for rotating the applicator andproduce guide level from beneath the preselected level and defining atleast one port elevated above the preselected level and the applicator.Sweeping means are movably mounted within the reservoir. Sweep drivemeans are provided for moving the sweeper means over the wall frombeneath the preselected level above the preselected level adjacent theport. Liquid guide means are provided for guiding liquid passing throughthe port onto the applicator.

In another form of the invention a device is provided for dispensingviscous liquids at low rates. The device comprises a tubular reservoiradapted to be filled to a preselected level with viscous liquid andhaving dispensing port means disposed above the preselected level. Arotatable shaft is mounted centrally within the tubular reservoir andmeans provided for rotating the shaft. A set of axially spaced brushesis mounted on the shaft in sweeping engagement with the tubularreservoir to sweep liquid above the preselected level and into thedispersing port means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anagricultural produce coating machine embodying principles of theinvention in a preferred form.

FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation of a portion of the machine shown inFIG. 1 with a side panel removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of dispensing device incorporated into theproduce machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a portion of the device cutaway to reveal interior components thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Referring now in more detail to thedrawing, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 an agricultural produce coatingmachine 10 having a frame 12 defining a chamber 14 in which are mountedtwo shafts 15 and 16 about which two cylindrical horse hair brushes l7and 18 are respectively secured. Beneath brushes 17 and 18 are rotatablymounted a set of sic relatively small brushes 20 for rotation aboutparallel shafts 21. An input chute 23 is provided to guide producebetween the two relatively large burshes 17 and 18 and the relativelysmall brushes 20. A discharge chute 25 is provided to receive theproduce after having passed through the chamber.

An electric motor 27 is provided for driving brushes l7 and 18 inclockwise directions, and brushes 20 in counterclockwise directions, asviewed in FIG. 2, so as to continuously urge the produce through chamber14. An agitation tank 30 is provided having a pump 32 mounted thereatopto affect agitation of liquid disposed within the tank and to pump theliquid up and into the tubular reservoir 35 through an intake conduit36. As may be seen most clearly by reference to FIG. 3, return pipe 38extends downwardly from within reservoir 35 and back through a flexibleconduit to the agitation tank. This top lip 39 of the return pipe isdisposed along a preselected plane within the reservoir to establish thesurface level of liquid housed With continued reference to FIG. 3 atubular reservoir 35 is seen to include a set of axially spacedapertures or parts 40 extending through the walls of the reservoir abovethe level established by lip 39 of return pipe 38. Just beneath ports 40is mounted a drip board or baffle 41 to guide liquid exiting ports 40onto brush 18 as shown in FIG. 2. Two pillar blocks 43 are rigidlymounted adjacent the opposite ends of reservoir 35 which pillar blockshave sleeve bearings 44 therein in 3 which is rotatably journalled ashaft 45 which extends between blocks along the axis of the tubularreservoir. A sprocket 47 is secured to the shaft to be driven by a chainhoused within chain guard 49 coupling the sprocket with another electricmotor 51. If desired, only a single electric motor may be used to driveboth the brushes within chamber 14 as well as shaft 45 within reservoir35. However, inasmuch as it is often desirable to regulate the speed ofthe shaft 45 independently of that of the brushes within chamber 14 twoelectric motors are preferably used with independence speed adjustmentcapability.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, a set of brushes 50 is seen to bemounted to shaft 45 by means of a mounting plate 52 which is welded toone side of shaft 45 and another mounting plate 53 by bolts 55 to theother mounting plate with brushes 50 sandwiched therebetween and with anedge of mounting plate 53 resting upon shaft 45. The ends of the brushesdistal shaft 45 are in brushing engagement with the inner surface of thetubular reservoir 35. They may be axially located to pass either over orbetween ports 40.

In operation, the brushes disposed within chamber 14 are rotated bycoupling motor 27 to a source of electric current, and the brushesdisposed within the dispensing device rotated by coupling motor 51 alsowith a source of electric current. With all of the brushes then rotatingagricultural produce such as a cucumbers, peaches, peppers, plums,nectarines and tomatoes are introduced into input chute 23 where theygravitate into contact with brushes 18 and 20. From here the rotatingbrushes urge the produce through chamber 14 atop brushes 20 and beneathbrushes 18 and 17 and then out into discharge chute 25 where they may becollected. During this process brushes 15 within reservoir 35 are slowlyrotated whereby the ends of brushes 50 pass beneath the surface ofliquid 59 disposed within the reservoir and then emerge urging liquid upalong the inner surface of the reservoir and over ports 40 from whichthe liquid emerges from the reservoir and onto drip plate 41. From thedrip plate drops of the liquid fall steadily onto brush 18 at arelatively slow rate as depicted in FIG. 2. From brush 18 the liquid iscoated onto the produce and also onto the brush 17 which, at point ofcontact, is rotating in an opposite direction of brush 18. From brush 17an additional portion of the liquid is coated onto the produce. The slowrevolution of shaft 45 and brushes 50 within reservoir 35 continuouslyurges liquid above the level established by the top of overflow pipe 38,through ports 40, and then onto brushes l8 and 17.

The continuous motion of the brushes within the dispensing device alsoserves to agitate the liquid to prevent settling of the heavier elementsof the mixture from occuring. Simultaneously, pump 32 agitates themixture within tank 30 while continuously circulating the liquid throughthe tank and dispensing device. In this manner the quantity of liquidflowing through the dispensing device is substantially greater than thatbeing dispensed to brushes 17 and 18 which further inhibit settling andclogging.

It should be understood that the just described embodiments merelyillustrate principles of the invention in preferred forms. Manymodifications may, of course, be made to the specifically illustratedembodiments without departure from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for coating agricultural produce with a liquid andcomprising a frame; an applicator mounted to said frame for rotationabout an axis; applicator drive means for rotating said applicator aboutsaid axis; produce guide means for guiding produce into contact withsaid applicator; a reservoir mounted to said frame and adapted to befilled to a preselected level with liquid and with said reservoir havinga wall rising above said preselected level and defining at least oneport elevated above said preselected level and said applicator; sweepingmeans mounted for movement within said reservoir; sweep drive means formoving said sweeper means over said wall from beneath said preselectedlevel to above said preselected level adjacent said port for liftingonly a portion of said liquid along said wall and for urging the sameout of said port; and liquid guide means for guiding liquid passingthrough said port onto said applicator, the contour of said wall beingsuch that said sweep means will urge the liquid along said wall andthrough said port to emerge as liquid which adheres to said wall and isreceived on said liquid guide means and will thereafter drip therefromonto said applicator.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reservoir comprisesa cylindrical tube providing said wall with a uniform curvature adjacentsaid port and over which said sweep means travels and wherein said sweepdrive means includes a shaft mounted for rotation within saidcylindrical tube.

3. A machine in accordance with claim 2 wherein said shaft is mountedalong the axis of said cylindrical tube and wherein said sweeping meansincludes at least one brush mounted to said shaft for engaging said wallat a substantially uniform distance from said shaft as said brush movesout of said liquid and past said port.

4. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said applicatorcomprisesa horse hair brush.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a liquidagitation tank in fluid communication with said reservoir and means forcirculating said liquid from said tank to said reservoir and back tosaid tank for maintaining said level of said liquid in said reservoir.

6. A device for dispersing viscous liquids at low rates and comprising atubular reservoir adapted to be filled to a preselected level with aviscous liquid and having dispersing port means disposed above saidpreselected level; a rotatable shaft mounted centrally within saidtubular reservoir; means for rotating said shaft; a set of axiallyspaced brushes mounted on said shaft in sweeping engagement with saidtubular reservoir to sweep liquid above said preselected level and intosaid dispersing port means; and a liquid run off plate mounted adjacentto the outer surface of said reservoir below said dispersing port meansfor receiving the liquid emerging from said dispersing port means andfor directing the liquid by gravity therefrom.

7. A dispersing device in accordance with claim 6 wherein saiddispersing port means comprises a set of axially spaced ports extendingthrough said tubular reservoir above said preselected level.

8. A dispensing device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said liquidrun-off plate is mounted to an exterior surface of said tubularreservoir immediately beneath said set of axially spaced ports.

9. A dispensing device in accordance with claim 8 in combination withviscous liquid application means mounted for rotation below said liquidrun-off plate.

- 6 into said dispensing port means, said set of brushes being mountedto said shaft by means of a first mounting plate welded to one side ofsaid shaft and a second mounting plate secured to said first mountingplate in abutment with a side of said shaft diametrically opposed saidone side and with ends of said brushes sandwiched between said first andsecond mounting plates. =0

1. A machine for coating agricultural produce with a liquid andcomprising a frame; an applicator mounted to said frame for rotationabout an axis; applicator drive means for rotating said applicator aboutsaid axis; produce guide means for guiding produce into contact withsaid applicator; a reservoir mounted to said frame and adapted to befilled to a preselected level with liquid and with said reservoir havinga wall rIsing above said preselected level and defining at least oneport elevated above said preselected level and said applicator; sweepingmeans mounted for movement within said reservoir; sweep drive means formoving said sweeper means over said wall from beneath said preselectedlevel to above said preselected level adjacent said port for liftingonly a portion of said liquid along said wall and for urging the sameout of said port; and liquid guide means for guiding liquid passingthrough said port onto said applicator, the contour of said wall beingsuch that said sweep means will urge the liquid along said wall andthrough said port to emerge as liquid which adheres to said wall and isreceived on said liquid guide means and will thereafter drip therefromonto said applicator.
 2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid reservoir comprises a cylindrical tube providing said wall with auniform curvature adjacent said port and over which said sweep meanstravels and wherein said sweep drive means includes a shaft mounted forrotation within said cylindrical tube.
 3. A machine in accordance withclaim 2 wherein said shaft is mounted along the axis of said cylindricaltube and wherein said sweeping means includes at least one brush mountedto said shaft for engaging said wall at a substantially uniform distancefrom said shaft as said brush moves out of said liquid and past saidport.
 4. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said applicatorcomprises a horse hair brush.
 5. A machine in accordance with claim 1further comprising a liquid agitation tank in fluid communication withsaid reservoir and means for circulating said liquid from said tank tosaid reservoir and back to said tank for maintaining said level of saidliquid in said reservoir.
 6. A device for dispersing viscous liquids atlow rates and comprising a tubular reservoir adapted to be filled to apreselected level with a viscous liquid and having dispersing port meansdisposed above said preselected level; a rotatable shaft mountedcentrally within said tubular reservoir; means for rotating said shaft;a set of axially spaced brushes mounted on said shaft in sweepingengagement with said tubular reservoir to sweep liquid above saidpreselected level and into said dispersing port means; and a liquid runoff plate mounted adjacent to the outer surface of said reservoir belowsaid dispersing port means for receiving the liquid emerging from saiddispersing port means and for directing the liquid by gravity therefrom.7. A dispersing device in accordance with claim 6 wherein saiddispersing port means comprises a set of axially spaced ports extendingthrough said tubular reservoir above said preselected level.
 8. Adispensing device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said liquid run-offplate is mounted to an exterior surface of said tubular reservoirimmediately beneath said set of axially spaced ports.
 9. A dispensingdevice in accordance with claim 8 in combination with viscous liquidapplication means mounted for rotation below said liquid run-off plate.10. A device for dispensing viscous liquids at low rates and comprisinga tubular reservoir adapted to be filled to a preselected level with aviscous liquid and having dispening port means disposed above saidpreselected level; a rotatable shaft mounted centrally within saidtubular reservoir; means for rotating said shaft; and a set of axiallyspaced brushes mounted on said shaft in sweeping engagement with saidtubular reservoir to sweep liquid above said preselected level and intosaid dispensing port means, said set of brushes being mounted to saidshaft by means of a first mounting plate welded to one side of saidshaft and a second mounting plate secured to said first mounting platein abutment with a side of said shaft diametrically opposed said oneside and with ends of said brushes sandwiched between said first andsecond mounting plates.